Jose Manuel Torres puts politics on chain

Jose Manuel Torres says presidents shouldn’t launch tokens – the people should. With Political Pump, he’s making political memecoins a community game.

His platform offers a way for communities to create and trade micro memecoins centered on political personalities, mixing humor with digital collectibles.

What are micro memecoins?

A micro memecoin is a type of digital collectible – like trading cards, but entirely online. These tokens can be bought, sold, and traded, with value fluctuating based on community interest.

Political Pump specializes in micro memecoins, meaning they require much less money to create price movement compared to larger cryptocurrencies.

“With micro memecoins, you need $5,000 for them to move,” Torres said. “How easy you think a community of 1 million people can put $5,000 together.” In practice, this means even small communities can create buzz, push token values, and actively shape micro markets.

The platform is designed for accessibility. Users can visit politicalpump.com, see when a new token is launching, and easily connect a digital wallet to purchase. Torres emphasized that even older users are getting involved. “We have people who are 70/80 years old trading memecoins with no experience,” he said.

How Political Pump works

Political Pump includes key safeguards: locked liquidity, which ensures developers can’t pull out funds, and 100% token circulation, meaning no hidden reserves or developer-held stashes that could distort prices. Transparent launch times and easy wallet connections round out the user experience.

Torres is clear that the project’s ethos is community-driven, not politician-led. “Presidents shouldn’t be launching memecoins. It should be the people launching memecoins,” he said. This distinction, he argues, makes Political Pump part of a broader movement to democratize crypto participation.

Political Pump's Jose Manuel Torres speaking with The Crypto Radio's Urian Buenconsejo at Philippine Blockchain Week 2025

Trading strategy and mindset

While the memecoin world can seem chaotic, Torres urges a disciplined approach. “You gotta have a target in your mind,” he said, advising traders to set a price goal – whether $12, $100, or $1,000 – before entering the market and to stick to it.

“When you’re winning, enough will never be enough,” he warned, pointing to one of the most common pitfalls: failing to recognize when to exit.

Torres also encourages traders to have “diamond hands” – a crypto term for holding onto assets during price swings without panic-selling.

“Never sell at a loss,” he said, urging patience even in downturns. This approach reflects Political Pump’s tagline: “We pump and hold.”

Market traction and expansion plans

In just three months, Political Pump has launched 14 presidential and public figure memecoins, reaching $127 million in trading volume. The platform features tokens themed on global figures like Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Nayib Bukele, Elon Musk, Satoshi Nakamoto, and even Princess Diana – showing the mix of politics, tech, and pop culture driving community interest.

While Political Pump began with a focus on Latin America, Torres now sees Southeast Asia – particularly the Philippines – as a key target. “The Philippine crypto community is huge,” he said. “In gaming and tap-to-earn, you guys are probably the leaders in the world.”

This global expansion isn’t just geographic. Torres hinted at broadening Political Pump’s political scope beyond presidents, potentially moving into tokens tied to political systems or movements, further growing the ecosystem.

The Diana token on Political Pump mixes royal nostalgia with crypto humor, joining global leaders in the memecoin spotlight. Photo: Political Pump

Legal and ethical lines

Torres draws a sharp line between celebrities and public figures when it comes to memecoins. While celebrities can protect their image rights, public figures like politicians have fewer intellectual property protections. This, Torres believes, creates room for communities to playfully engage with political themes through tokens – without needing official endorsement.

However, the approach raises questions. Political tokens walk a fine line between satire and controversy, and critics may question whether they trivialize serious issues. Torres’s emphasis on community ownership aims to steer the platform away from purely speculative or inflammatory projects, but the ethical landscape remains complex.

A new kind of digital participation

While micro memecoins might sound like a niche or novelty, Torres frames them as part of a larger shift: making crypto participation more democratic, fun, and community-centered. Political Pump’s approach blends technology, humor, and social interaction, offering a space where even newcomers can explore digital assets.

Still, for potential traders, the usual cautions apply. Set goals, understand the volatility, and never invest more than you’re prepared to lose – advice Torres himself reinforces. As blockchain technology evolves, platforms like Political Pump highlight the unexpected ways politics, culture, and finance are colliding in the digital age.